The Jumbled Languages: Code Mixing in the Modern World

Abstract

Globalization has changed the original meaning of language and culture. These two terms have transcended as the world gets crazy over new inventions and gadgets. Although historically speaking, technology has been used years earlier, the society has not noticed it until in the recent years when technology has an obvious impact to the society. Communication in the modern world has become so innovative that many use media to express and reveal their cultural identity as well. One of the aims of this study was to investigate how Meranaws use the social media as a way of expressing themselves using two or more languages. This was identified through the idea of code switching and code mixing. This research tried to unlock how Meranaws use their native language and English as communication through Facebook and Twitter accounts. The findings showed that Meranawas use Facebook statuses and tweets as a means to express what they feel and not necessarily wanting answers in return or in the categorization refers to as virtual monologue. It means that when they want to express themselves to emphasize a point, Meranaw users see status bars as an open diary wherein they rant what they have in mind and generally focuses on realizations, complains, hypothetical questions or opinions certain issues.  Most Meranaw users also use the CMCs to feel that they belong to a group. They express in Meranaw to be sure that their fellow Meranawget the point of their messages. It is either to elicit sympathy or to get approval from people of the same group or in this case, culture.    The results also show that code mixing help users to appreciate the culture more for it allows them to express what they feel better. Although they might have limited audience when they use their mother tongue in statuses and tweets, at least they still have avenue for them to use their language.